Phylogenetic Analysis Of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates From Domesticated Wild Boars And Humans

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases, those transmitted from animals to humans, pose significant public health threats globally. Understanding and monitoring these diseases, such as Staphylococcus aureus infections, particularly in domesticated environments like wild boars, is crucial due to their potential to serve as reservoirs or vectors of transmission to humans. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Staphylococcus aureus on domesticated wild boars and farm workers, particularly in nasal cavities. In this study, we employed a comprehensive approach involving morphological examination, biochemical characterization via coagulase testing, PCR for detecting the spa gene, 16S rRNA targeting identification, and pairwise distance calculation to analyze 74 Staphylococcus-like isolates. The aim was to assess the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in two distinct hosts: humans and wild boars. Our findings revealed that out of the 74 isolates studied, only 2 were identified as Staphylococcus aureus from human samples, with a calculated pairwise distance of 0.00172. Notably, no evidence of S. aureus presence was detected in the nasal cavities of wild boars, indicating a 0% prevalence in this host population. The observed differences in S. aureus presence between humans and wild boars underscore the need for further investigation. Additional sampling across broader geographical areas and larger sample sizes are essential to verify and generalize these findings. Moreover, enhancing identification techniques, possibly through advanced genomic methods or metagenomic analyses, could provide more precise insights into the distribution and dynamics of S. aureus across different host species. In conclusion, while our initial results provide valuable insights, they highlight the necessity for continued research efforts to confirm these prevalence percentages and explore potential ecological factors influencing S. aureus colonization in diverse host environments. This approach will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of microbial ecology and host-pathogen interactions, with implications for public health and wildlife management strategies.